Speakers

Chad Edison was reappointed Chief Deputy Secretary for Rail and Transit at the California State Transportation Agency in September of 2019, where he served as Deputy Secretary for Transportation since 2014. His primary emphasis is on the development and integration of California’s current and future rail and transit network. He is responsible for developing statewide rail plans and programs, as well as the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, which is investing over $15.5 billion in state funding in transit and rail projects. A key part of that program is dedicated to enable a seamless customer experience across all agencies for planning and paying for their trip. To that effect, Chad Edison has led the initiation of the very successful CAL-ITP program, allowing 300+Transit Agencies and Rail Operators in the state of California to buy equipment and services from the State’s bench contracts, leveraging the State’s purchasing power while allowing flexibility and choice for the agencies when implementing locally.

Chad Edison worked at the Federal Railroad Administration from 2010 to 2014, at AECOM from 2001 to 2010, and at Amtrak from 1996 to 2001. He earned a Master of Public Policy degree in international trade and finance from the University of Michigan.